FOR the second time in three weeks Double Blade (2.10) makes the 275-mile trip from Mary Reveley's farm at Lingdale, near Saltburn, to Lingfield in Surrey.

Last time he made the arduous journey Double Blade might just as well have stayed on the M25 in his horsebox as he encountered just as much traffic congestion at the races.

Ollie Pears suffered every jockey's nightmare as he was all dressed up with nowhere to go behind a wall of horses. When the split did come for Pears and partner the two leaders had already flown and they had to settle for third spot, despite making significant late progress.

It is a track which suits hold-up merchants like Double Blade, who will need the cards to fall in much kinder fashion if he is to gain a clear passage in the mile-and-half Littlewoods Bet Direct Amateur Riders' Handicap.

In the Reveley raider's favour such amateur contests are normally run at breakneck pace, which should theoretically aid and abet the cause of Double Blade, the mount of the useful 5lb claimer Fergus King.

John Bridger's locally-trained Sea Top (2.40) looks the value bet in the following five-furlong dash.

Sea Top's limited stamina simply didn't last out when tried over seven furlongs at the course this month. He's also been inclined to race too keenly, consequently his outside draw could prove to be a help, rather than a hindrance in a modest contest.

In the mile-and-a-quarter Bet Direct Handicap, Chief Cashier (3.40) appears to be on the brink of a first success away from the turf.

Toby Balding's seven-year-old, recently caught close home by Sienna Star over track and trip, would have annihilated this field on grass, and he is gradually beginning to convert his useful turf form over to the polytrack.

Although only five runners go to post for the closing one-mile event, none can be discounted with any confidence given that four of the quintet have visited the winners' enclosure since Christmas.

The top-weight Steely Dan requires a blistering pillar-to-post gallop to be seen at his most effective, and with the possibility of the field crawling for the first half of the race his prospects are severely diminished.

Undoubtedly the most unexposed horse in the line-up is Mr Lear (4.40) from David Barron's North Yorkshire stable.

Quite what to make of his almost unbelievable 16-length success in a donkey derby one-mile maiden at Southwell is anyone's guess. It could have been that he beat absolute dross, a question only this afternoon's performance will answer.

* Catterick and Leicester have been forced to abandon today's meetings.

Catterick officials held a 4pm inspection after heavy rain fell and a course spokesman said: ''We've had to abandon due to waterlogging. We've had 10mm of rain over the last 24 hours, 8mm this morning and 2mm overnight.''

Newcastle were forced to abandon yesterday's meeting.

Track officials held an initial inspection at around 10am and were due to hold a another one at noon to decide whether racing could go ahead.

But clerk of the course James Armstrong said conditions deteriorated rapidly.

There are also doubts about Chepstow's meeting tomorrow